Merkel challenger vows to rein in banks, hike taxes on wealthy
HAMBURG (Reuters) – Launching the final phase of his long-shot campaign to oust German Chancellor Angela Merkel, leftist challenger Peer Steinbrueck called on Thursday for higher taxes on the wealthy and tighter rules for “gambling” bankers.
Quebec judge calls disaster railway ‘deplorable’, grants protection
MONTREAL (Reuters) – A Quebec court granted bankruptcy protection on Thursday to the U.S. railway whose runaway train smashed into a tiny Quebec town, killing 47 people, but Judge Martin Castonguay called Montreal Maine & Atlantic’s behavior “deplorable” and said he was not impressed by its management.
Chilean President Pinera seeks forgiveness for census blunder
SANTIAGO (Reuters) – President Sebastian Pinera asked Chileans to forgive him on Thursday for a 2012 census that a review panel found to be so flawed it should be thrown out, a political embarrassment for his government months before a general election…
Two arrested in Saudi on suspicion of planning attacks: SPA
ABU DHABI (Reuters) – Two suspects have been arrested in Saudi Arabia after exchanging information about imminent suicide attacks in the region through social media, the official Saudi news agency reported on Thursday.
Israel shuts Eilat airport at Egypt border, citing security
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel shut its southernmost Eilat airport near Egypt’s Sinai peninsula on Thursday until further notice because of security concerns, the military said.
Russian oil barons step up battle for Putin’s favor
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Two Russian oil barons have escalated a battle for influence in the lucrative energy sector by writing to President Vladimir Putin to complain about each other’s policies, spotlighting a deepening rift between some members of his inn…
Libya’s worst oil unrest since civil war stores up future trouble
LONDON (Reuters) – Unrest that has already slashed Libya’s oil output to the lowest levels since the 2011 civil war and more than halved its exports is now spreading, with serious implications for its economy, foreign companies and consumers of crude.
Turk leaders seek distance from life terms imposed over coup plot
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish leaders appeared to distance themselves on Thursday from a court that handed a life prison term to a former top general over a coup plot, a landmark case that has polarised Turks over the country’s political direction.
Japan protests to China after ships linger near isles
TOKYO (Reuters) – Four Chinese ships spent more than 24 hours in what Japan sees as its territorial waters, prompting a Japanese protest to China on Thursday at a time when Tokyo has been signaling its desire for a summit.
Israel shuts Eilat airport near Egypt border
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel shut its southernmost Eilat airport near Egypt’s Sinai peninsula on Thursday until further notice because of security concerns, the military said.
